Hello all,
I was curious to know everyones thoughts on the quality of instructors at ATP.
Ive had to switch instructors before During my PPL training because one wasn’t really instructing well. Im curious to know how the quality of instructor is at ATP especially when someone who might only have less than 300 hrs and just recently finished the program is my instructor.
How flexible is ATP with switching instructors?
How flexible is ATP on extra instruction that the student might need to be proficient on a particular task in the syllabus? i.e student having a hard time in a holding pattern or performing a chandelle
Does the syllabus have stage checks with a Chief Pilot?
ATP has been training pilots for over 3 decades, has 38 locations and has placed almost 700 pilots with airlines in the last 12 mos alone. They couldn’t be this successful if the quality of their instruction was sub par. That said obviously on occasion with that wide a network of instructors there’s the possibility of a bad egg. There’s also the possibility someone might not be a bad instructor but 2 personalities don’t jive. Regardless if there’s a conflict you could of course speak with ATP mgmt and request a change. If this person has had a few complaints then ATP might look further. That said if this becomes a habit and the next instructor also “isn’t instructing well” you may find yourself having a conversation about you being the problem and not the instructor.
This also goes for extra time. Flight training can be challenging but you so need to understand ATP flight school is very different than most. ATP was created to prepare pilots for airline training. If you think the airlines are going to hold your hand and make sure you feel warm and fuzzy that’s not going to happen. ATP to some degree is the same. To be completely honest I went through the program and never felt really confident that I was ready. Yes I felt rushed and pressured at times as well. That wasn’t to get me out quickly again it was to prepare me for what I could expect at the airlines. So ryo your question if you have an issue in an area or 2 your instructor will work hard to get you up to speed but if every concept or skill is an issue then the fact is ATP AND the airlines might not be for you.
Finally there are no stage checks. ATP is a Part 61 school. Stage checks are generally only done at Part 141 schools.
When I went through the program, I had several different instructors, as you probably will too. While they all had different styles, they were all great instructors, I did not have any issues with anybody. I have heard of people requesting instructor changes, these are typically honored as the company gets that not everybody is a good fit for everybody else.
I had a hard time with some of the instrument training while I was in the program, my instructor worked with me until l got it, simple as that.
Check out this link. Make sure to link the “Explore This Stage” buttons as they describe each stage of the program in details. In short, there are no typical days and you need to be available at all times.
I had some issues that I just couldn’t get until recently and I was starting to question whether I really had what it takes to do this. Its good to hear that someone else had a little bit of trouble as well, especially from someone who has made it to the pros.
I really struggled with the partial panel work in the instrument phase, to the point that I thought about quitting. But I managed to make it through and here I am
